The Bills are using the franchise tag to keep safety Jairus Byrd.
Buffalo’s decision to franchise Byrd had been expected and was confirmed today by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Bills and Byrd have talked about a long-term contract and may still come to an agrement on one, but the franchise tag ensures that Byrd won’t be going anywhere. If he ends up signing the tender offer, he’ll play this season for a one-year base salary of $6.9 million.
Byrd, who has played for the Bills since they took him in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft, started all 16 games last season and had five interceptions and four fumble recoveries.